Mackinac Island's Festival of the Falling Leaves Moon, known as Binaakwe-giizis in Ojibwa, celebrates fall.

The festival first took place in 2006, to introduce a new event to fill the weekend occupied in alternating years by the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference. That weekend happened to be, according to Ojibwa tradition, the weekend that the season changes from the Harvest Moon to the Falling Leaves Moon.

The festival focuses on Mackinac's Native American inhabitants during the fur trade.

"So many people just think of Mackinac's Victorian history, but there is another aspect to the Island," said Mary McGuire Slevin, director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. "We wanted to celebrate the early 1800s."

In 2006, the Tourism Bureau brought in historic re-enactors, hosted a fur show, and showcased the Island's Native American heritage. The festival also celebrated the life and death of Madame La Framboise, a successful Ottawa fur trader. The festival proved difficult to organize.

This year, the festival will shift from a celebration of the entire era to a more low key, local affair. It will be held Thursday, September 18, through Saturday, September 20.

An art show featuring the work of Don Andress and mother-daughter team Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish, all artists with roots in Native traditions, will be included.

Mr. Andress is known for his hand-crafted walking sticks, and this will be his first exhibition.

Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish specialize in black ash baskets and painting.

In addition to the art exhibit, participants can enjoy a progressive dinners each evening , with the various courses prepared and served at select restaurants. The event is meant to bring people together to enjoy the fall's bounty at the end of the harvest, said Ms. Slevin.

Northern Michigan singer/songwriter Michelle Chenard will join Ms. Slevin for a concert at Mission Point Theater Friday night.

This year's Falling Leaves Moon Festival is sponsored by the Tourism Bureau's new nonprofit subsidiary, Great Turtle Festivals, which the organization hopes will attract state and national culture grants.

"With this new organization," Ms. Slevin said, "we can write more grants that will allow the festivals to grow and become more focused."

Schedule of Events

Thursday, September 18

• 3 - 5 p.m. Nin Wikondimin: We Feast Together

Several Island restaurants offer special fall menus for a festival fundraiser. Cost is $25 per person.

• 7 p.m. East Bluff Hayride

$25 for adults, $15 for children ages five to 12, and free for children younger than five years old. The hayride departs from downtown in front of the Tourism Bureau.

Friday, September 19

• 3 - 5 p.m. Nin Wikondimin: We Feast Together, $25 per person.

• 7 - 9 p.m. Binaakwe Giizis: Artists' Reception

Meet and greet with Anishaabe artists Don Andress, Kelly Church, and Cherish Parrish at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa.

• 9 - 11 p.m. Heart of a Woman

Mackinac Island singers and songwriters Mary McGuire and Michelle Chenard will perform at Mission Point Theater to benefit Great Turtle Festivals. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for children younger than 12.

Saturday, September 20

• Noon- 5 p.m. Gagaienisiwin: Art Exhibition

Don Andress, Kelly Church, and Cherish Parrish display their work at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa.

• 1 - 5 p.m. Nind Akokobinaganike: I Make Baskets

Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish host an interactive basketmaking workshop. Cost is $50 to create a small basket, $75 for a medium-sized basket, and $100 for a large one.

• 3 - 5 p.m. Nin Wikondimin: We Feast Together, $25 per person.

• 7 p.m. Madwewetchigewin: Music with the Holland High School Orchestra

Young musicians from the Holland and Lakeshore area perform with conductor Richard Pippo at Mission Point Theater.